The best time to travel to Iceland: a month-to-month guide to planning the perfect trip to Iceland

Pinning down the best time to visit Iceland is an almost impossible task. This destination serves up surreal landscapes year-round, so your travel dates simply come down to which wonders you want to see more: the northern lights streaking across an ink-black winter sky, or the midnight sun illuminating the lush summer landscape.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice, our guide will help you pick the best time of year to visit Iceland based on the activities you want to experience most. We’ve even broken this up month-by-month to help you make sense of what to expect of the destination in the month of your Iceland tour. So read on to start planning your ideal Icelandic adventure. (But, if you’re skimming, the best time of year to visit Iceland is… anytime, really!)

What is the weather in Iceland like in each season?

Iceland sits just south of the Arctic Circle, which means you won’t find overly hot weather no matter when you’re planning a trip to Iceland. In fact, Iceland’s year was historically separated into just two seasons according to the Old Icelandic Calendar, or lunisolar calendar—winter and summer—and Icelanders still observe some of the traditional holidays (like the first day of summer in April).

While the shoulder seasons of spring and fall are shorter and make less of a splash, there are remember-this-forever moments to be found in every season. Here’s the best time of year to visit Iceland depending on what you want to experience.

Winter

is the best time to visit Iceland to see the northern lights & ice caves

Months to experience winter in Iceland:

November, December, January, and February (but winter weather in Iceland sometimes starts as early as October, and runs as late as March).

Think winter trips aren’t your thing? Get ready to have a change of heart once you see surreal snowy landscapes on a winter trip to Iceland, especially on our Iceland: Reykjavik & the Northern Lights tour. In fact, Iceland has earned a spot on our list of top places to visit in the winter that will make it your favorite travel season.

One of the best parts of traveling to Iceland in November, December, January, or February is getting a better chance to see the aurora borealis lighting up the dark winter sky. Our experts can help you figure out where to see the northern lights on tour, but one thing is for sure: You won’t see them during the extra hours of sunlight in the summer months, so a winter trip to Iceland is a must. Other perks of traveling to Iceland in the winter? Seeing glaciers floating in lagoons, walking through ice caves, watching waterfalls tumble from frozen landscapes… should we go on?

November in Iceland is best for outdoor winter adventure and a music festival.
It may sound early for some of us, but November is when Iceland’s winter starts, which means days will begin to get much shorter from now until March. But in early November, you do still get a healthy amount of daylight, which means if you enjoy outdoor winter adventure, now is the best month to visit Iceland. With more daylight, you just get to see more, whether you’re out snowmobiling or backcountry skiing. For music festival lovers, the Icelandic Airwaves Festival is staged for a few days in early November. It’s the perfect event to discover fantastic new music, both local and global. If music is your thing, November is the best time to travel to Iceland.

Go to Iceland in December to celebrate the holidays under the northern lights.
While chances for a northern lights show are pretty favorable across the entire winter season, December is an especially fabulous time to plan an Iceland tour thanks to the Christmas spirit you’ll encounter all over the country. If you visit Iceland in December, expect to see the massive Oslo Tree all lit up in the heart of Reykjavik. (It’s called the Oslo Tree because it was a gift from Norway.) And maybe you’ll even spot the 13 Yule Lads, too. Legend has it that these are sons of a troll, and they all descend from the mountains during the Christmas season to leave gifts for children.

In January, you can have Iceland’s famous hot springs all to yourself.
Now that we’re deep into winter, tourism in Iceland tends to see a dip right after the holiday season, making January one of the quietest months of the year. But there’s still plenty to do, including visits to ice caves and aurora chasing. This is also a great time to visit Iceland’s world-renowned hot springs for a warming soak. January is also a good time to go to Iceland to experience the cultural festival of Thorrablot, which runs from mid-January to mid-February. To honor the country’s pagan roots, Icelanders mark the mid-winter festival by eating traditional foods like hákarl (fermented shark meat) and svið (boiled sheep's head), washed down with strong Brennivin schnapps. It’s not a menu for the faint of heart, that’s for sure.

Go to Iceland in February for a pastry festival and northern lights viewing.
It may still be cold and wet in Iceland, but an Iceland tour in February can be a uniquely memorable experience. Of course, your chances of seeing the northern lights will remain high, but during the day in Reykjavik, you can attend a couple of festivals. On our Iceland: Reykjavik & the Northern Lights tours in February, check out the Winter Lights Festival in Reykjavik, which fetes the start of longer, sunnier days with art and light installations. There are some unusual food events, too, such as Bolludagur, or Cream Bun Day. This is typically celebrated the Monday before Ash Wednesday and when bakeries and restaurants all over the country will be showing off their own cream-filled bun recipes. If you’re a pastry lover, maybe February is the best month to visit Iceland.

Weather in Iceland in November, December, January & February:

Average temperatures are between 28 F and 38 F.

What our staffers say about winter in Iceland:

“I went to Iceland in January and saw the most beautiful display of northern lights dancing across the sky,” said staffer Bridget. “It really does look like they’re dancing! Our tour guide said it was the best display he’d seen in the last five years—absolutely worth the colder weather.”

Spring

is the best time to visit Iceland for thundering waterfalls

Months to experience spring in Iceland:

March, April, and May.

While winter and summer are the longest, most distinguishable seasons in Iceland, springtime brings its own charm. Daylight starts to stick around longer, lambs are born (cute!), and new blooms pop up as the snow starts to melt. These are just a handful of things that make our Iceland: Reykjavik & the Golden Circle tour so unforgettable.

But, it’s the reinvigorated waterfalls that make seeing Iceland in April or exploring Iceland in May a real treat. This is when the icy landscapes start to thaw and the water really starts to flow. Watch the thundering water as you go from Skógafoss waterfall on the South Coast to Gullfoss on the Golden Circle, which are just a couple of the top-rated Iceland waterfalls you simply cannot miss. If you plan to travel to Iceland in the spring and want to snap a few photos of Icelandic waterfalls, keep this tip in mind: Take care to keep your camera dry—the mist coming off the falls can lead to technical difficulties.

Iceland in March offers great off-season deals and the northern lights.
Like in many parts of the world, the last few weeks of winter can often be a tricky time to travel due to unpredictable weather. It’s no different if you decide on an Iceland tour in March, when you can expect chilly temps and wet days that can sometimes lead to road closures. But what makes traveling to this magical country in March great are the off-season deals. You can stand in awe of the country’s dramatic volcanos, glaciers, and coastlines on our Landscapes of Wild Iceland tour starting in March, for example. Iceland will still have much smaller crowds even as the days get longer and weather starts to improve, which means you can also go on northern lights tours (March offers decent visibility) and soak in the Blue Lagoon at a gentler pace and budget-friendly prices.

In April, marvel at the majesty of Iceland’s stunning waterfalls.
Touch down in Iceland on the first Thursday after April 18, and you’ll be just in time to celebrate Sumardagurinn Fyrsti (the first day of summer). Sure, April may not technically be the first day of summer. But this festival got its start in ancient times when Icelanders used the Old Icelandic Calendar and only had two seasons. Today, Sumardagurinn Fyrsti is marked by sports matches, parades, and the collective enthusiasm of a country that can’t wait to see the summer days arrive.

But what makes April the best month to visit Iceland are the waterfalls. Now that most of the country has officially thawed from winter’s chill, these thundering beauties are melted and ready to impress nature lovers from all over the world. One of the highlights of our springtime Iceland tours is getting to take in the immense beauty of Gullfoss waterfall, which is created by waters from Langjokull, the second largest glacier in Iceland.

May in Iceland is ideal for wildlife viewing.
When is the best time to visit Iceland? Well, if you love wildlife, it’s May. We always talk about the country’s natural beauty, but do you know that Iceland is home to some out-of-this-world wildlife viewing, too? On our Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot all types: from the adorable Icelandic horses that you’ll likely see as you drive through the country to the more elusive puffins and the golden plover. May is also a fantastic time to book our Akureyri Fjord Whale Watching excursion along the northern coasts of the island. It’s a three-hour cruise that can be made more special if you catch sightings of minke whales, orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Weather in Iceland in March, April & May:

Average temperatures are between 30 F and 47 F.

What our travelers say about spring in Iceland:

"Absolutely speechless,” said traveler Stephanie after her time on our Iceland: Reykjavik & the Golden Circle tour in May 2022. “I did not know what to expect when I booked my tour of Iceland other than it was a destination I have had on my bucket list for a long time. The tour looked relaxed and so I gave it a shot. I am so glad I did. If you do not book this tour you are truly missing out on some of the most breathtaking sights you will ever lay your eyes on. The entire island is filled with people with a fierce love of their country and pride in their history. The landscape is like nothing I have ever seen in my life, it is wild and left untouched. I have never been in a place where people are so respectful and responsible for their land. Every tour was worth going on and I never once felt bored or uninterested in what I was seeing and learning. If you are debating between tours and this is one of them PICK THIS TOUR (especially in the spring/summer). You will not regret it!!”

Summer

is the best time to visit Iceland for endless sunlight & whale sightings

Months to experience summer in Iceland:

June, July, and August.

Icelandic winters may give the aurora borealis a spotlight, but Icelandic summers have sunshine in spades. That’s because the sun never fully sets thanks to a phenomenon called the midnight sun. Yes, you read that right: Icelandic summers lay claim to 24 hours of daylight.

At this point, you may be imagining all the adventures you could have in a dream destination where the sun never fully sets—and there are a lot. Icelanders also take full advantage of the longer summer days, and visiting Iceland in June, July, or August means immersing yourself in the sun-drenched outdoors alongside locals. Just be sure to bring a sleep mask along for the trip—you’ll want one on hand when you lay down at night and there’s still sunshine streaming through your window.

Summer is also the warmest time of year in Iceland, which means roads that were blocked by snow and ice in the winter will be clear for all your adventures—especially if you want to set off on our Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road tour. That’s a good thing, since you’ll have even more opportunities to see whales and puffins during the summer months, and getting to the best spots to look for them will be a cinch.

Go to Iceland in June for 24 hours of sunlight.
If winter months are world-famous for long nights that seduce the northern lights, then June is renowned for the exact opposite: non-stop sunlight. This is especially true the closer you get to the Summer Solstice when the sun will be visible for 24 hours of the day. It’s an unusual experience that makes an Iceland tour in June so unique. Iceland takes Summer Solstice seriously, too, celebrating the year’s longest day with bonfires and parties with some parties even skipping sleep altogether in honor of the sun’s 24-hour presence.

Visit Iceland in July for optimal whale-watching conditions.
For many of us, getting to see these magnificents animals in the wild is a major bucket-list experience. Plan your next Iceland tour for July, which is considered one of the best times to see whales in Icelandic waters. Nearly two dozen whale species swim through the northern coast of the island, which has been nicknamed the whale-watching capital of Europe. If you’re lucky, you may even see them breaching or feeding at the surface of the water. If you want to experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment on our Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road tour, don’t forget to book the very popular Akureyri Fjord Whale Watching excursion.

In August, discover Reykjavik’s big city energy.
We believe that a European city, like Reykjavik, is at its best when the weather is warm and sunny, when locals and visitors alike can truly revel in all it has to offer. Swing through Iceland in August to experience Reykjavík Pride, which is a six-day festival that highlights love, support, and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. (Check out more of our favorite LGBTQIA+ friendly cities around the world.) Pride is just one of the many reasons to really dig into the Reykjavik portion of our Iceland tours. The city’s largest festival, Culture Night, is also held in August. This is when Reykjavik’s arts, culture, and creative scenes announce and celebrate new programing, initiatives, and events. From midday to midnight, much of the city’s downtown will host theater performances, dance parties, food trucks, and much more.

Weather in Iceland in June, July & August:

Average temperatures are between 45 F and 56 F.

What our staffers say about summer in Iceland:

“The endless summer sun was, hands down, the best part of my trip to Iceland—especially when we headed to the South Coast,” said staffer Erin. “There’s nothing like trampling around the lush terrain above Skógafoss at 1am in full daylight. It’s like you’ve landed on another planet where time doesn’t exist.” Want to soak in the sun at Skógafoss for yourself? Explore our Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road tour →

Fall

is the best time to visit Iceland to see colorful foliage

Months to experience fall in Iceland:

September and October.

Picture Iceland’s sprawling fields, black-sand beaches, and crashing waterfalls—which are all the things that make our Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road tour sing. Now, imagine those stunners being surrounded by the oranges, yellows, and reds of fall foliage, and you’ll have an idea about how pretty Iceland is in the fall. This short-and-sweet shoulder season is when summer’s warmth and sunshine starts to fade—but not to fret, the darkening nights mean you might just have the chance to see the northern lights as winter creeps up. Dreaming of Iceland in September? Want to put a trip to Iceland in October on the calendar? You won’t be disappointed by an autumnal adventure, that’s for sure.

September in Iceland is full of countryside charm.
What we love about Iceland most might just be the medley of traditions you can experience throughout the year. As autumn starts, you’ll see more agrarian traditions all over the country. For example, September plays host to the annual sheep roundup called Réttir, when herders bring the sheep from the surrounding mountains back to their farms. It’s a fitting event to celebrate while visiting Iceland, considering that the country has more than 800,000 sheep! Another September custom we adore is berjamór, or berry picking. From August to mid-September, Icelandic locals head out into the countryside to gather basketfuls of wild bilberries and crowberries. During free time on our Iceland: Reykjavik & the Golden Circle tour, maybe you can do the same. It’s one of our favorite end-of-summer Scandinavian activities.

In October, discover Iceland’s rugged landscapes.
Exploring Iceland’s spellbinding geography is great year-round. What makes it an exceptional experience in October is that the island is still mostly accessible (winter conditions haven’t crept in yet) but there will already be much fewer tourists. This is actually when landscape photographers love to take pictures of the country’s dramatic surroundings. Add the mild daytime weather this time of year, and October becomes a great time to hike around Iceland, too. So don’t forget to take advantage of our memorable Falljökull Glacier Hike excursion during the Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road tour. And depending on how strong auroral activities are, you might be able to catch a northern lights sighting or two.

Weather in Iceland in September & October:

Average temperatures are between 38 F and 50 F.

What’s the best time to visit Iceland? Any time, no matter the Iceland weather. Whether you have your heart set on Iceland in July or Iceland in November, you’re sure to be wowed. Start planning your Iceland tour →